Camden County Workers Compensation: Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries are the number-one cause of workplace injury for people 55 years of age and older, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI). Every year, slip and fall accidents make the list of the top four causes of workplace injuries.
Slip and fall accidents can be dangerous. They can even be deadly. The NFSI estimates that slip and fall accidents cause 5 percent of all job-related deaths for working women and 11 percent for working men.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall at work, don’t wait: Contact an experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyer today. Your lawyer can help you get the benefits you’re entitled to after an injury.
Why Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur at Work?
Slip and fall accidents can occur in many different ways. Some workplaces pose a higher risk of a fall accident than others, but falls can occur in nearly any work environment.
Camden County workers may suffer injury if they slip and fall at work due to the following:
- Water, oil, or other substances on a walking surface.
- Weather hazards causing surfaces to be wet, snowy, icy, or slippery,
- Rugs or mats that slide underfoot when stepped on,
- Floors or walking surfaces that go from rough to slippery as the surface changes.
Tripping can also cause fall injuries. Workers may be injured if they trip due to the following:
- Being unable to see obstacles on the ground due to poor lighting or obstructed view,
- Clutter on the ground, especially in walkways and work areas,
- Wrinkled carpeting, broken tile, or uneven floor surfaces,
- Uncovered cables and other equipment parts.
A fall can even injure workers if they don’t slip or trip first. For instance, a worker may be injured if they:
- Fall from a height, such as a roof, the top of a vehicle or equipment, down a shaft, or into a trench.
- Fall at an angle (swing falls), which may occur when a harness or other fall arrest system fails, causing the worker to hit a vertical surface.
In 2020, slip and fall accidents caused 18 deaths among New Jersey workers. Falling accidents can cause death even when they seem minor. In 2020, 136 workers died due to a fall that occurred at the same level, such as a fall to a floor the worker was standing on. When a fall of even a few feet can be fatal, it’s not surprising that falls can cause serious injuries.
What if I’m injured on the job?
For any medical emergency, the first step is to get emergency medical care. If your injury doesn’t require emergency help, ask your employer for the hospital or doctor they have chosen for workers’ compensation cases. Visit this hospital or doctor as soon as you can.
Within 90 days of your injury date, notify your employer that you were injured on the job. You can tell your employer verbally or put the notice in writing. A written notice creates a record that you notified your employer in time. If you give notice on paper, keep a copy for your records.
Your employer has 21 days to file a report with the Division of Workers’ Compensation after they receive your notice. This report formally begins your workers’ compensation claim.
Workers’ compensation benefits New Jersey employees who are injured on the job. These benefits cover medical expenses, time away from work while your injury heals, and some aspects of injuries that limit or prevent you from working in the future. Workers’ compensation also provides death benefits to the worker’s family when a worker dies from an on-the-job injury.
Talk to your employer if you haven’t heard anything about your claim within 21 days of giving notice. You may also wish to call an experienced attorney who can help you pursue your claim.
Contact Petrillo & Goldberg To Discuss Next Steps
When recovering from a slip and fall injury, you need all your energy and effort to get well. Focusing on fighting a workers’ compensation claim denial can seem overwhelming, primarily if you haven’t dealt with courts in the past.
You don’t have to fight alone. The experienced Camden County workers’ compensation lawyers at Petrillo & Goldberg have helped many workers secure the benefits they are entitled to after a severe workplace injury. We’ll help you understand how the law applies to your situation. We’ll explain your rights and answer your questions. We’re here to help you make the best choice for your future.
